Chapter 58
To pay the Heavenly Secret Hall and the Medicine King Family, Mu-Gun had to find the silver nyang he had entrusted to the vaults. He would then have to personally visit them to withdraw his finances. Baek Mu-Gun decided to get his money in the Myth Vault first, which was the closest vault to Wenzhou since it was located in Hangzhou Province. The funny thing was that its owner was the Hangzhou Merchant Company—the Byeok Sword Manor’s in-laws.
The Hangzhou Merchant Company was a huge merchant organization that dominated the silk market and recorded huge sales every year. Many wealthy people from Zhejiang Province and Jiangsu Province trusted the Hangzhou Merchant Company’s management administration, so they entrusted huge amounts of funds to the Myth Vault. Having secured large finances, the Hangzhou Merchant Company aggressively expanded its business and also earnestly tried to extend its influence in murim by establishing a marital relationship with the Byeok Sword Manor. The Hangzhou Merchant Company hoped the Byeok Sword Manor would get the Zhejiang Martial Alliance Leader position and become their shield.
Anyway, Mu-Gun had to personally go to Hangzhou to withdraw the money he left at the Myth Vault. Although he had passed through Hangzhou on his way back from his earlier journey, he didn’t stop because he didn’t have any immediate means to move the silver nyang.
Mu-Gun received a five percent annual interest when he entrusted his money to the vault. In thirty years, his 200,000 nyang principal amount had accumulated 300,000 silver nyang in interest, creating a staggering total of 500,000 silver nyang. Moving all of those simultaneously was no easy task. To reclaim it, he had to find a way to move it first.
The method Mu-Gun had in mind was to use the Eun Merchant Group’s ship to move it. It would take at least ten days to travel from Hangzhou to Wenzhou by boat, which shouldn’t be too difficult using the Eun Merchant Group’s ship. Of course, he’d have to pay to rent it.
Immediately after returning to the Baek Sword Sect, Mu-Gun immediately met up with Baek Cheon-Sang and informed him that he had successfully negotiated the supply of information and medicinal pills from the Heavenly Secret Hall and Medicine King Family respectively.
“They wouldn’t just provide information and medicinal pills free of charge. How much do their services require?”
“The Heavenly Secret Hall’s information fee is 100,000 silver nyang a year. We’ve yet to receive an exact quotation from the Medicine King Family, but I think it would probably cost at least 200,000 silver nyang.”
“That would be a total of 300,000 silver nyang—an amount we can’t afford considering the Baek Sword Sect’s current finances.”
“There is a way.”
“What is it?”
“We can take a loan from the Heavenly Secret Hall. They’ve decided to lend us 500,000 silver nyang at a one percent annual interest rate with a ten-year repayment period.”
With a one percent interest rate, the interest on 500,000 silver nyang was only 5,000 silver nyang a year. Moreover, loaning them that amount with a ten-year repayment period was no different from lending them the funds for free.
“They’re willing to lend us money on such shocking conditions?”
“That’s right.”
“Hmm, no matter how much I think about it, I can’t find any reason for them to help us this much. It makes me wonder if they’re using us to plot something.”
“The Heavenly Secret Hall wants a force that can protect them without taking advantage of them. They decided to choose the Baek Sword Sect as their shield.”
“Even if so, it bothers me that they’re lending us so much money.”
“I understand your worries, Father. However, for now, accepting the Heavenly Secret Hall’s help would be for the best. Even on the off chance that they plan to take advantage of us, it won’t be too late to sever our relationship with them then.”
“Yeah, you’re right. We require funds to build up the Baek Sword Sect, so it would probably be best for us to receive financial support from the Heavenly Secret Hall for now. However, we shouldn’t trust the Heavenly Secret Hall too much.”
“Understood. I’ll be wary and keep a close eye on them.”
“Good. You’ve done a great job. It’s all thanks to you that the Heavenly Secret Hall and the Medicine King Family, the existence of which the world wasn’t aware of, are now helping us.”
“I couldn’t have done this without your trust and support, Father. Moreover, as the young patriarch, it is only for me to seek to improve the Baek Sword Sect.”
“At this rate, I don’t know if my position is still necessary.”
“That’s absurd, Father. I can do all of these with ease because you’re sturdily holding the fort.”
“You’re getting better at flattery, huh.”
“It’s not empty flattery. I really mean it from the bottom of my heart.”
“It feels good to hear that from my own son.” Cheon-Sang laughed contentedly.
“There’s one more matter to discuss regarding our loan from the Heavenly Secret Hall.”
“What is it?”
“The funds that the Heavenly Secret Hall promised to lend us are currently at the Myth Vault. I’d likely have to go down to Hangzhou to withdraw it. We’d probably require the Eun Merchant Group’s help to transport the funds as well.”
“Are you going to go there yourself?”
“We’re not talking about just ten or twenty thousand silver nyang here. We’re about to move 500,000 silver nyang, so it would be better for me to personally oversee the operation and ensure we’ll safely obtain the funds.”
“I’ll leave you to it, then. On another note, considering they loaned us 500,000 silver nyang, shouldn’t I at least meet the Heavenly Secret Hall’s owner as the Baek Sword Sect’s patriarch?”
“Understood. I’ll arrange a meeting before I leave for Hangzhou. While we’re at it, can I make another suggestion?”
“Go ahead.”
“I want to form an intelligence syndicate that will analyze and seek ways to utilize the information provided by the Heavenly Secret Hall.”
“You want to establish our own information system rather than just be on the receiving end?”
“That’s right.”
“That’s a good idea. Let’s push for its establishment, then. Who should be in charge of it, though?”
“Why don’t we leave it to Mu-Ok?”
“Mu-Ok?”
“In my opinion, Mu-Ok’s martial talent is only average. However, he seems to have a unique talent for judging the flow of the situation and coming up with strategies. If we entrust Mu-Ok with the Baek Sword Sect’s intelligence syndicate, he’ll do better than anyone else.”
“I understand what you mean, but if we leave such a heavy responsibility to Mu-Ok, who’s still only twenty years old, there will be a lot of talks within the sect.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem at all if we run the intelligence syndicate unofficially.”
“Unofficially?”
“The Heavenly Secret Hall’s existence should never be revealed to the outside world. Hence, it would be better to operate our intelligence syndicate unofficially since it requires working together with them. Once the intelligence syndicate’s capability grows enough for them to work independently, no one will be able to question Mu-Ok.”
“But I’m not sure if Mu-Ok is willing to accept that. As you said, he would have to hide his identity for a long period of time. That’s not as easy as it sounds.”
“Mu-Ok will accept anything for as long as it’s for the Baek Sword Sect’s sake. Mu-Ok will benefit from it as well.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“I am.”
“Alright. Let’s have it your way, then. However, if Mu-Ok refuses, we will have to find another way.”
“Understood.”
After finishing his discussion with Cheon-Sang, Mu-Gun left the White Sword Pavilion and returned to his residence. The next day, he visited Baek Mu-Ok.
“Brother!” Mu-Ok greeted Mu-Gun the moment he saw the latter enter through the door.
“How have you been?”
“I’ve been well. I heard you came back safely, but I’m relieved to see you in the flesh.”
“If you were so worried, you should’ve looked for me as soon as you heard that I was back.”
“I actually went to visit you at your residence yesterday, but you weren’t there, so I just went back. No, shouldn’t you have visited your younger brother first? How urgent was the matter you had to attend that you had to leave the sect for an entire day as soon as you returned?”
“I apologize, but don’t get me wrong. It’s all for the Baek Sword Sect’s sake that I’ve been running around so much I’m sweating.”
“May I ask what’s going on?”
“We have to increase the Baek Sword Sect’s information power and the Baek Sword Corps’ martial capabilities.”
“How would I know what you mean if you phrase it that way?”
“I managed to enter into an agreement with a secret intelligence organization in murim. They’ll be providing us with intel.”
“May I ask which intelligence organization that is?”
“It’s called the Heavenly Secret Hall.”
“I’ve never heard of such a group before.”
“I told you, it’s a secret murim organization.”
“If so, how did you come to know of them? And how did you get them to agree to provide us with information?”
“Why does it feel like I’m being interrogated?”
“Of course not. I’m just curious.”
“I saved them from danger by chance while I was on a trip, and they decided to provide us with information because of that connection. That’s all you have to know for now.”
“Are you not going to tell me what you did to improve the Baek Sword Corps’ martial arts?”
“I obtained support from an organization called the Medicine King Family. They decided to supply us with medicinal pills.”
“Where is this Medicine King Family you speak of?”
“The world isn’t aware of their existence either, but they’re unrivaled when it comes to medicinal knowledge.”
“How did you come to know them?”
“I came across them by chance while I was on a journey.”
“What on earth did you do on that trip to get acquainted with not just one but two secret organizations?”
“It just happened. Putting that aside, I have a proposal for you.”
“A proposal?”
“In the near future, we’re going to establish an unofficial syndicate that will analyze and utilize the information provided by the Heavenly Secret Hall.”
“An unofficial syndicate?”
“We’re operating it unofficially because the Heavenly Secret Hall’s existence should never be revealed to the world.”
“What’s the proposal?”
“I want you to lead the syndicate.”
“You want me to do what?” Mu-Ok asked in astonishment.
“I’m sure you already know this, but information power is just as important as combat power. I refuse to carelessly leave crucial information to anyone but someone I fully trust, and you’re the one I trust the most in the Baek Sword Sect. Above all, I’m proposing this to you because I think it’s the most suitable job for your talent. Father has already given his approval. All that’s left is for you to make a decision.”
“I’m too inexperienced for such an important job. I’m worried I’d just accidentally damage the family.”
“Don’t worry. Forming an intelligence syndicate would take time anyway, so you can just accumulate experience while interacting with the Heavenly Secret Hall.”
“Do you think I can pull it off properly, Brother?”
“I think you’re the most perfect fit for it in the Baek Sword Sect.”
“Fine. I’ll believe you and take on this task.”
“You made the right decision. Let’s strike while the iron is hot. We’ll go to the Heavenly Secret Hall together later this afternoon. We’ll be working with them, so you should meet and get acquainted with them.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll see you then.”
“Are you leaving already?” Mu-Ok asked in disappointment as Mu-Gun got up to leave, having already finished his business here.
“Why, is there anything else?”
“Not really. I’m just a little upset that you’re just going to leave even though we haven’t seen each other in so long.”
“Hmmm, what to do? It would be great to have lunch together, but I have a prior appointment.”
“Is your appointment perhaps with the beautiful woman who came with you?”
“You’ve heard about her?”
“Yes. I heard she’s a very beautiful woman. May I ask what your relationship with her is, Brother?”
“We’re dating. Since we’re on the topic, why don’t we have lunch together so you can meet each other?”
“I don’t want to disturb you two. She’ll feel uncomfortable if I just suddenly show up. Today’s probably not a good time, so it would be best to make an appointment and meet tomorrow instead.”
“Good idea.”
“She’s probably waiting. Hurry up and go.”
“Alright, I’ll see you later.”
Mu-Gun left Mu-Ok’s residence and went to the side building where So Yeon-Hwa was staying. After having lunch with her, he made love to her.
***
After having a good time with Yeon-Hwa in the side building, Mu-Gun went back to Mu-Ok’s place an hour before they had to leave for the Heavenly Secret Hall. Mu-Ok had already finished preparations and was waiting, so they immediately headed to the Heavenly Secret Hall.
“Brother! Isn’t this the red-light district?”
Mu-Ok, who followed Mu-Gun without hesitation, caught Mu-Gun before entering the red-light district.
“Don’t misunderstand. It’s not what you think. The Heavenly Secret Hall is in there.”
“It’s in the red-light district?”
“The Heavenly Secret Hall is hiding its existence by disguising itself as a brothel.”
“Isn’t that the Undern Sect’s way of doing things?”
“That’s right. In fact, the Heavenly Secret Hall is an organization that was split off from the Undern Sect.”
“So that’s why they follow the Undern Sect’s method.”
“Yeah. Anyway, have you ever been to a place like this?”
“No, today is my first time.”
“You’re such a pure kid.”
“But it doesn’t seem to be business hours yet, considering how quiet it is here.”
“The lights in the red-light district don’t turn on until evening. We’re here. Let’s go in.”
Mu-Gun pointed to the signs of the Flower Honor Manor, which they had arrived at before they realized it. Mu-Gun headed inside, and Mu-Ok quickly followed him.
“Welcome,” Dan Seol-Young, who had been waiting outside in advance, greeted the two of them.
“Let’s head inside first before talking.”
“Follow me, please.”
Seol-Young guided the two to the Flower Honor Manor’s inner room.
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